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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

August 2006 - summary

Highlights:

Black-necked Grebe - one at the East Res. from 28th to months endHobby - two singles at the reservoirs, 13th & 26thSpotted Flycatcher - one to two on several dates from 22nd to 31ststrong hirundine passage errratically throughout the monthregular Common Terns on return migrationCurlew - at least two calling overhead on the night of 29thRed-crested Pochard - two from 25th to months end

Being in Scandinavia for much of the month prevented patch coverage on my part, but Laurence (and several other observers) maintained a regular presence at our favoured local sites - the Reservoirs, Clissold Park and Abney Park Cemetery.

Details of the above highlights can be found in Laurence's daily entries below.

A more systematic summary at the end of each coming month, with photos, highlights and full counts, will resume from September onwards.

recent records

END OF FEBRUARY 2008: at least one Mediterranean Gull still regularly visiting Clapton Common Pond; Blackcaps singing in private garden (Albion Road) and Abney Park Cemetery, where several pairs of Stock Doves are paired up for breeding; a Kingfisher and up to seven Reed Buntings present at Stoke Newington Reservoirs. Winter thrushes still well represented, with Redwings in Clissold Park and high numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares at Walthamstow Marshes. Clissold Park has the usual winter ducks, including up to ten Pochard and 15 Shoveler.

LATE FEBRUARY 2008: Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, singing Blackcap and several Reed Buntings at Stoke Newington reservoirs (& 3 Jackdaws over on 25th); 2 Siskins in Abney Park, 23rd; Jack Snipe, up to 27 common Snipe, up to 22 Meadow Pipits, pair of Stonechats, good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing at Walthamstow Marshes.

MID-FEBRUARY 2008: up to 2 Mediterranean Gulls present at Clapton Common, coming down to food with Black-headed Gulls. Blackcap singing along northern perimeter of Abney Park Cemetery from mid-month. Red-crested Pochard pair still present at the East Reservoir until 15th at least. Peacock butterfly in Clissold Park, 08/02 - the first of the year. Yellow-legged Gull and Lesser Redpoll present at Stoke Newington Res., 08/02. Female Brambling still present in Clissold Park (SE corner), last seen 08/02. Goldcrests and Redwings widespread locally. Redshank flushed from Walthamstow Marshes, 08/02.

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Lucky enough to spend plenty of my time enjoying birds and wildlife, I'm based here on the Yorkshire coast, on the western seaboard of the North Sea (where I grew up, and returned to several years ago). Among other things I'm a field ornithologist, nature writer, speaker and guide, comms specialist for conservation causes and a musician / songwriter with Morning Bride.